We live in a time when every point of view seems to carry equal weight. On social media and in the voting booth, all opinions ring equally loud, regardless of education, insight or moral depth. The adage of our time is: "I feel it, so it's true." But where does this radical equality drive actually lead?
It is a form of "equality idolatry," elevating the belief that everyone is equal in everything into a quasi-religious truth. The problem? It's not true. Not everyone is equally learned. Not everyone is equally wise. Not everyone bears equal responsibility in public discourse. And above all, not every desire deserves hearing.
Yet precisely the latter has become the core of modern philosophy of life: unfold yourself, follow your passion, be true to your feelings. They are slogans that sound like liberation, but often end in restlessness, addiction and loneliness. What was once moral compass has been replaced by personal preference. Man as the measure of things.
The delusion of the ego
The dangers of this moral revolution are dangerous. Where once virtues such as temperance, courage and reason were cherished, today self-will has been declared sacred. Subjective desire has supplanted the authority of conscience and tradition.
But then is every desire good simply because it is felt? Of course not. Cravings can be sickening both personally and socially. The addiction to status, the drive for pleasure, the lust for power. These are forms of lust that distract us from what is truly good. And those who have no measure outside themselves will sooner or later get lost in themselves.
Here philosophy touches on something that theology has understood for centuries: man needs not only moral laws but also a center outside himself. Not the ego should be the center, but the Good That which transcends man. Classical philosophy called it virtue. Christian tradition calls it God.
Freedom is not doing what you want
True freedom is not the absence of limits, but the ability to want the good even when it is difficult. And that takes practice, humility and above all: self-control. In a world where following your heart is glorified, self-control has become almost a revolutionary act.
But who or what gives us that power to control, to resist ourselves? Classical virtue ethics partially answered this, but the Christian view adds something essential: grace.
For whoever looks honestly at himself sees that he does not always win the battle with his own lusts. That time after time he falls back into pride, into lust, into laziness. And that the voice of conscience sometimes whispers where it should be shouting.
The way up
And then comes the inevitable but hopeful truth: to truly master your subjective desire, a deep connection with Christ is essential.
Not because religion would be a weakness, but because Christian faith offers a moral framework higher than the self. Because it teaches man that he is not the center of the universe, but is called to imitate the One who controlled Himself perfectly. Who did not live for Himself, but gave Himself. In a world that has replaced the voice of God with the noise of the ego, that invitation is more topical than ever. Not to suppress, but to become truly free.
"We that will follow me, deny himself."
Not because God is a despot, but because He knows what we ourselves often forget: that the greatest danger in man, is man himself and that true peace begins where the ego bows to Good.
For some, that is called Conscience. For others, it is called Truth. For those who believe, He is called King Christ.
